Читать книгу Welcome to the One Great Story! - George B. Thompson - Страница 6

Beverly and I had lived in Dahlonega, Georgia, for about a year when I was asked to lead the church’s youth class for vacation Bible school. Having only several days with which to provide something from which I thought the teens would learn and still enjoy, I decided to try a biblical overview. We met in the sanctuary balcony, but I still managed to use a Post-It notepad easel for writing down key names and terms. Conversation seemed on topic most of the time, although I would not vouch for how much or how well they remembered any of our time together. Still, the germ of an idea for a book took hold with me. This idea grew in my mind for the next four or five years, as I led a weekly lectionary study at that church on Sunday mornings. Several faithful adult members explored texts with me and unknowingly helped me begin to formulate the thesis for this book.

Later, Beverly and I moved to Red Springs, North Carolina, as co-pastors of a congregation there, where the women of Circle 3 asked me if I would lead their monthly Bible study. It was all the excuse that I needed for organizing and expanding my notes, beginning with Genesis. Each month, I provided printed outlines to the Circle members and was gratified by the interest with which they listened, discussed, and asked questions. Surprisingly, they asked me back for a second year, so my file of notes grew in size and topics covered.

When Beverly and I moved to Whiteville, North Carolina, to be interim pastors there, I was invited once again to lead an adult class. This one had been meeting on Sunday mornings for thirty years or more and called itself the “Reformed Rebels,” always willing to wrestle with theological issues that would give some church members pause. Then, over the summer, all the adult classes combined for one study, which I led from Walter Brueggemann’s small but insightful volume, The Bible Makes Sense. By this time, I had an extensive set of notes and was anticipating time for getting this book started.

After the Whiteville experience, Beverly and I were participating in the life of Saint Andrews Covenant Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, North Carolina. There, I was asked to lead a winter study for the Wednesday night adult group who shared in a weekly intergenerational program, “Preparing Our People for Service (POPS).” By this time, most of the chapters of the book had been drafted.

Meanwhile, a friend of ours from the Dahlonega congregation, Dea Devereaux, agreed to read the entire manuscript—one chapter at a time—and give me feedback. Although an active church member, Dea never had joined a class or study group. After reading the first few chapters, Dea then asked if she could share them with another friend from church, Susan Reese, and I agreed. Their comments and observations on all the chapters strengthened my sense that this book could speak to folks inside, and along the periphery of, the church. Hence, the manuscript has been road-tested and, I believe, found sufficiently worthy.

Leisa McDonald tackled the formatting, copyediting, and sometimes tedious details and decisions involved in preparing the final manuscript for submission. I was glad to be able to work with her again.

As usual, I am grateful to Beverly for reading each chapter and commenting on each one—even though she knows that I don’t necessarily heed her suggestions! To her, and to all of those who took part in the classes and presentations mentioned above, I extend heartfelt appreciation.

Finally, I am especially grateful to Mary Miller Brueggeman and her late twin brother, Patrick Miller, for the foreword. My respect for their biblical knowledge and experience makes their contribution a great honor.